An Ancient Song

The song below is a translation of an old Tamil song (at least 2000 years old) by “G U Pope” an European Tamil scholar. The Tamil song (or rather the first line “Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir”) is famous.

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase that means the whole world is one single family.

To us all towns are one, all men our kin,
Life’s good comes not from others’ gifts, nor ill,
Mans pains and pains relief are from within,
Death’s no new thing, nor do our blossoms thrill
When joyous life seems like a luscious draught.
When grieved, we patient suffer; for, we deem
This much-praised life of ours a fragile raft
Borne down the waters of some mountain stream
That o’er huge boulders roaring seeks the plain
Tho’ storms with lightnings flash from darkened skies.
Descend, the raft goes on as fates ordain.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise!
We marvel not at the greatness of the great;
Still less despise we men of low estate.

Kaniyan Poongundran, Purananuru – 192
(Translated by G.U.Pope, 1906)

© 2010 – 2018, Lekatt. All rights reserved.